Shoebinder

[suttontrust]

I've tried the old occupations lists for this one, but can't find it.  It's definitely "shoebinder" and not shoe finder, and googling produces a lot of references to people with that occupation but no definition.  Any ideas?

[SandraC]

Hi

I have quite a few of these too!

http://www.rootsweb.com/~macessex/census/1860.html

A shoe binder was someone who stitched the parts of a shoe together before the sole was nailed on.

Regards
SandraC

[suttontrust]

Thanks.  My ancestress was a shoebinder in Hastings in the 1850s but you wouldn't know it from the censuses, only the directories.  Her husband was a baker.  After his death she appears as a bonnet dyer.  Versatile lady, like so many women of the time.